Back issues/sciatic nerve

[Retterath]

Has anyone ever had sciatica nerve pain? I think it maybe started when I was packing out a mule deer this year. It has been on and off pain for two months. It starts at top of but check and moves closer to spine then down my leg. I went to chiropractor and that helped for a little bit but back again. I was told that's the worst as it does more damage if you have a pinched nerve causing disc to pinch it. Does anyone have any exercises or advise on this thing. Thanks

 

[PMcGee]

I have problems with it. Stretching helps a lot with mine. When I'm working out and stretching everyday it's not much of a problem but when I slack off stretching it comes back. Google stretches for it and see if that helps.


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[Davesphizikal]

Don't rule it as sciatic only, bro. Could be a herniated disc pushing on your nerve. Symptoms you have are pretty typical of a herniated disc. Go see your doc, and request scans. Physical therapy with core and leg strength can be the fix if it's not bad.


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[moeleo]

Don't rule it as sciatic only, bro. Could be a herniated disc pushing on your nerve. Symptoms you have are pretty typical of a herniated disc. Go see your doc, and request scans. Physical therapy with core and leg strength can be the fix if it's not bad.


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This is very possible. An easy way to test it is lay flat on your back and have someone raise one leg at a time by you feet. If the pain is too much for you to bear a disc could be an issue.

 

[Ross]

Ten knee surgeries, too many elk quarters and coming on 54 have me in this club....stretching, year around exercise and foam roller are my best friends

 

[elkguide]

Unless you have a crushed/collapsed disc..... to me surgery is not the answer. PT, stretches and exercises along with strengthening with workouts like Yoga or Tai Chi (my favorite) are the way to get, keep and maintain good health.

 

[Davesphizikal]

Plus one for not doing surgery. Too many back docs wanna cash in on expensive fusions and what not only to leave you needing another fusion in ten years. It's a self-licking ice cream cone. Plus two for an MRI. If your doc won't request an MRI, ditch him and find a real doctor because he's dense. Learn to listen to your back. If it hurts, stop and don't push it. Posture, exercise, stretching will become part of your routine, like brushing your teeth. Hopefully you don't have any problems though man. It's a tough adjustment.


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[JWP58]

Stretch, stretch, stretch. Flexibility is the fountain of youth. I had a bulging L5 and it was horrifically painful, and stretching took care of it.

 

[michaelc10]

I had a back injury 15 years ago 3 herniated disc and bulging disc, spinal stinosis, I went through 9 months of therapy but I have to always work out and exercise from that day on. If I stop for a month my pain comes back. I also get sciotic pain in both of my legs if I stop exerciseing. Start with some stretching with some rubber straps, I would also suggest situps, pushups, use light weights at first if you can, and try to build up your core muscles. This should help alot. If the pain gets worse try a tens unit or a interferential unit . This will help block some of the pain. I suggest getting a mri and see a doctor first. But exercise will help you get over the hump, it took me a long time and still deal with it. But ive learned now what works when it starts acting up from time to time.Good luck.

 

[dog812]

I used to be a pro athlete and also suffer from cyatic nerve pain. I found for me, as soon as I felt it coming on. I really need to stretch my glute. And start popping ibuprofen to help it relax.

 

[tommymo]

I suffered with Sciatica on and off for 5 years, it would come and go, sometimes a couple of days, sometimes a couple of months. I finally had enough and went to a Dr and had some MRIs, thankfully there were no herniated discs. The issue was around me sitting on my ass all day, commute/desk job. I was finally able to get rid of the pain but what many have already said, a disciplined stretching regiment, you have to stick with it otherwise it will come back.

A strech that did wonders for me is a yogo position called the downward dog. You need to also focus on stretching your quads and hamstrings and most importantly when the pain is gone, work on strengthening your core.

 

[mfllood3800]

what you describes sounds like it is related to sciatica, but it also sounds like other things too. If it persists- get the MRI
Know for sure and go do what is best, after a couple different opinions from specialists.

They told me surgery isn't an option as the tissue at the first vert is gone.
I find stretching, losing weight and inflammation meds help.

Many of us here in this site deal with back issues, lots of good opinions based on our experiences, but go get an MRI, and tackle this before it gets too big of a deal.

 

[Mjm316]

Stay hydrated! For me personally I have found that when it's very dry like it's typically is in the winter is when I have back issues. It has helped me in the past to make sure I drink plenty of fluids and keep the muscles happy. Not saying this is your issue but just a tip for everyone. Happy New Years!

 

[munsterlander]

I agree with this below... helps me tremendously to keep moving and stretch. Also trying to avoid much stress as many of us carry our stress in tight muscles, esp back.
As of stretching / exercise can't emphasize stretching enough. Hamstring tightness and hip mobility play this biggest issue in my flare ups. I prefer the door jam hamstring stretch, this allows your core to relax while your hamstring is being stretched. Lay down on the floor, put one leg threw the door way and the other on the door frame. Another stretch that helps a lot is the child's pose, ya it doesn't look "tuff" and it's yoga.. but it helps a lot. There's no substitute in walking / hiking as well, there's less pressure on your lower back while your waking then standing or sitting. It helps to loosen and warm up your lower back and hamstrings.

 

[brocksw]

Stretching is always good but lots of speculation on our parts. Could be a weak back and tight piriformis. Could be a slightly pinched disc or nerve. Do you work an office job? Had back injuries or other series lower body injuries before? What kind of shape are you in? Some things can be fixed with changes in lifestyle and some discipline. Some problems can only be alleviated. Personally, the reverse extension machine is always my friend in the gym, as is some could abdominal strengthening. For stretching it is important to stretch your hip flexors, hamstrings (this will stretch your lower back some too), quads, and your piriformis muscle. I work a desk job so stretching is important... I also try and practice good posture and and keeping my glutes engaged when I sit. All this has, when I am disciplined and faithful, done wonders for my lower back.

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[lkwoolsey]

Had a lot of lower back injuries in the army, all stemmed from an original injury sustained overseas. Did A LOT of physical therapy and it didn't work super well, then had an SF medic I was working out with show me a few stretches, and that helped, but the biggest thing he showed me was strengthening my core. Not just sit up, but lots of planks and such. That and lots of lower back excercises. Take it easy and keep stretching, but keep on those workouts, especially core and lower back. High reps low weight, don't go heavy for a while and work up to it. Just my experience, and I am by no means a medical professional.

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[Brendan]

I haven't seen it mentioned above, and you could have something structural - but it might be worth seeing a chiro that specializes in ART (Active Release Therapy) and soft tissue therapies, Graston, etc, first. Similar to foam rolling - but a lot more targeted by a medical professional - designed to make sure soft tissues are moving well, aren't bound up by scar tissue, etc. I know a bunch of marathon runners that swear by it and go pretty much year round.

I know, it sounded a little like snake oil, but I've had great success in getting rid of a couple persistent issues, and then switching in PT, core exercises, back exercises year round. Just a warning - I'd give it 2 months of visits once a week.

One example - I had some right knee pain that was sharp and stabbing, I was sure I'd really messed it up, done a meniscus or something, turns out it was issues with a super tight hip flexor that was really bound up. I was also recently getting some persistent left shoulder (bow arm) pain and pins and needles in the tips of my fingers on my left arm after aggravating my shoulder (Hadn't been shooting much, started up too fast). After 4-6 weeks of visits - I'm pretty much back to normal and working back up again.

 

[5MilesBack]

I was just at the physical therapist yesterday, mainly for my neck and numbness in my right hand.......but I also have a sciatic nerve that raises its ugly head every so often. I pretty much have degenerative disc disease at every vertebrae in my spine, along with a few bone spurs here and there, a couple herniated discs, and a syrinx in my spinal cord. The good thing is......I'm very flexible. The bad thing is.....I'm very flexible......so stretching doesn't do much to help with my sciatica. Core strength and not keeping a George Costanza wallet in my back pocket are the biggest helps for me. The wallet thing really does cause issues.

I was doing squats yesterday thinking "Is this really good for my discs". Might be time for me to start hiring a packer every year. My neck is toast this year from carrying out a full elk head with cape and rack on my neck/shoulders. Nerve stuff isn't fun at all.

 

[307]

There can be many reasons for back/leg pain, nerve compression being one of them. But there are a lot of options and the right "fix" for one situation, will often make another situation worse. Some situations are an emergency and should be ruled out first. Then it's a process of helping the body desensitize and then rebuild. One of my favorite pain/biomechanics researchers sums it up, "First, calm shit down. Then, build shit up". Many of the details/techniques are simply opinions (many developed to enrich the person who made it up).

This type of question should be sorted out with detailed history and physical exam. Sometimes MRI is necessary, but until you've been evaluated, it's impossible to know. Most of MRI interpretation, when it comes to chronic pain, is not well supported and should be secondary to clinical diagnosis IMO.

Many of the popular rehab ideas have little research backing. Muscle imbalance being one of those unsupported ideas. Also, flexibility, or lack of it, is not shown to be causative in low back pain or disc issues. Many will argue with me but they can't do it with much research. However, science looks across broad populations and patient's really only care about their individual case, which has many, many more factors. Back pain is a humbling and fickle game. Chiro, PT, medication, acu, massage, surgery, they all "work" when applied appropriately. The trick is picking the appropriate tool for the individual "job" at hand. It ain't easy...

Interestingly, sit-ups are a proven CAUSE of disc herniation. Seems counter intuitive based on anecdotal reports...
Also, core "strength" is not likely the reason for much back pain when you consider that maximum spinal stability occurs at only 25% of the max strength of the core... Weird.

Get evaluated, if it's safe, keep moving, maybe with modifications. Take care of the rest of your health (sleep, nutrition, stress mgmt) and help the body desensitize. My $.02

 

[bigmoose]

I've had sciatic nerve pain for several years. This fall it got to the point that I could barely walk after one day of hunting. I hate going to the doctors but I felt that I really needed help. The first thing was to get back x-rays and then a MRI. In my case it was advanced arthritis in my lower back. The first option I had was a epidural shot in my lower back. After jumping through all the hoops for my insurance, I got the epidural shot November 15th. For me, the shot worked and my leg pains were gone for the first time in years. I have hope that I'll be back on the mountain next year. It's only been six weeks and the pains are back. I'm scheduled for another epidural this month. I was hoping it would last longer. I'm just going to make sure I get another shot in September. As mentioned in earlier posts, exercises will also help as well as PT.

My brother also has back/leg pain issues. His is from a herniated disc. His doctor recommended a epidural shot too. It didn't work for him. After the shot, they had to put him in a wheelchair to get him home after walking in on his own. He has had a couple back surgeries at this point and nothing has worked for him. He and I have packed a lot of deer and elk over the years and this has led us to where we are now. Just saying.

The first step is to see your doctor. It's not going to get better on its own and you need to know if something is seriously wrong before doing exercises. Good luck. I hope you find something you can live with.